The Houston Texans look like the AFC’s best team this season. They’ll get a chance to prove it against the AFC’s best team from last season when they travel to New England for the Monday night game.

The Texans can smell the top seed and home-field advantage. The Patriots, the new No. 2 in this week’s Sporting News’ NFL power rankings, are the last major obstacle. They say you need to beat the champs to become the champs—and the Texans will get a chance to test that theory as they prep for the playoffs.

(AP Photos/SN Illustration)

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32. Kansas City Chiefs (last week: 32)

Second-year spotlight: WR Jonathan Baldwin

Because he has yet to have a prominent role in the offense, it’s hard to remember that he was a first-round pick. That may change after he scored his second career touchdown last week.

(Colin E. Braley/AP)

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31. Jacksonville Jaguars (30)

Second-year spotlight: WR Cecil Shorts

He’s taken over as the Jaguars’ No. 1 receiver and has proved it with a four-game touchdown streak. He’ll go for five if a concussion doesn’t prevent him from suiting up against the Jets.

(Bill Wippert/AP)

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30. Oakland Raiders (31)

Second-year spotlight: WR Denarius Moore

There are some good emerging pieces in the Raiders’ passing game, including Brandon Myers and Rod Streater, but Moore has the most explosive potential.

(David Kohl/AP)

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29. Tennessee Titans (27)

Second-year spotlight: QB Jake Locker

The Titans can’t quite figure out what they want to do offensively, and it has hurt Locker. He has shown flashes, but he still needs big help from the running game to be most effective.

(Joe Howell/AP)

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28. Carolina Panthers (28)

Second-year spotlight: QB Cam Newton

When is Newton not in the spotlight? He recently has relocated a bit of his rookie groove with Steve Smith and Greg Olsen and will learn from the many close, tough losses of his sophomore season.

(Colin E. Braley/AP)

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27. Philadelphia Eagles (29)

Second-year spotlight: G Danny Watkins

The Eagles’ offensive line has been falling apart because of injuries and Watkins, with a bad ankle, hasn’t been immune to that trend. At least there are some positive signs in the power running game with backup rusher Bryce Brown.

(Rick Scuteri/AP)

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26. Arizona Cardinals (24)

Second-year spotlight: CB Patrick Peterson

Peterson has been picked on as a corner and avoided as a dangerous punt returner. He still manages to make some big plays with his speed and athleticism, such as his circus interception against the Jets.

(Kathy Willens/AP)

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25. San Diego Chargers (21)

Second-year spotlight: DE Corey Liuget

The defensive line can’t be blamed for the Chargers’ disappointing season. Liuget has developed into a steady force in the three-man front, which has been vital in their ability to stop the run.

(Bill Haber/AP)

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24. Detroit Lions (20)

Second-year spotlight: RB Mikel LeShoure

Leshoure, returning fully healthy from an Achilles’ injury, has been a much-needed power-running presence to help Matthew Stafford. He runs hard and has been adept in goal-line and short-yardage situations.

(Rick Osentoski/AP)

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23. New York Jets (26)

Second-year spotlight: QB Greg McElroy

Who would have thought McElroy would get the first regular quarterback snaps in place of Mark Sanchez? Now the big question is whether the Jets will actually start him.

(Kathy Willens/AP)

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22. Buffalo Bills (23)

Second-year spotlight: DT Marcell Dareus

The Bills’ new four-man front has had a disappointing season overall, even with recent signs of life. Dareus has had to change positions in a new scheme, and that has slowed his development.

(Bill Wippert/AP)

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21. Cleveland Browns (22)

Second-year spotlight: DT Phil Taylor

Taylor is back clogging up the middle for the Browns defense after battling through a pectoral injury. He has the chance to develop into a premier nose tackle.

(Amy Sancetta/AP)

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20. New Orleans Saints (19)

Second-year spotlight: DE Cameron Jordan

The Saints’ defense has improved because it has been better at winning battles up front and putting pressure on quarterbacks. That plan wouldn’t have been possible without a more involved Jordan.

(Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP)

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19. Miami Dolphins (18)

Second-year spotlight: C Mike Pouncey

The Dolphins’ offensive line has had a bit of an up-and-down season, and now left tackle Jake Long is ailing. Pouncey, however, has been a rock in front of rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill.

(Mike McCarn/AP)

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18. St. Louis Rams (25)

Second-year spotlight: DE Robert Quinn

Jeff Fisher was the right coach to get Quinn going on the edge. Quinn has taken advantage of relentless Chris Long on the opposite side to get free for plenty of quarterback hits.

(Tom Gannam/AP)

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17. Minnesota Vikings (17)

Second-year spotlight: TE Kyle Rudolph

Rudolph is doing his best to help his friend and fellow second-year player Christian Ponder. Rudolph has the size, strength and hands to be the next all-around great one.

(Morry Gash/AP)

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16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (16)

Second-year spotlight: LB Mason Foster

Foster and superb rookie Lavonte David have formed the backbone of the Buccaneers’ super-improved run defense.

(Bill Kostroun/AP)

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15. Dallas Cowboys (15)

Second-year spotlight: RB DeMarco Murray

It was no coincidence the Cowboys’ dormant running game came to life with Murray’s return on Sunday night. In the process, he opened up the passing game for Tony Romo.

(Tony Gutierrez/AP)

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14. Washington Redskins (14)

Second-year spotlight: OLB Ryan Kerrigan

With fellow linebacker Brian Orakpo out, Kerrigan has needed to carry the burden of Washington’s edge pass rush. He’s delivered, and the results are being seen elsewhere in the back seven.

(Brian Blanco/AP)

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13. Cincinnati Bengals (12)

Second-year spotlight: WR A.J. Green

Despite the fact Green is seeing more defensive focus with each passing week, his speed, separation ability and great hands ensure that he’s a factor in every game.

(Denis Poroy/AP)

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12. Chicago Bears (8)

Second-year spotlight: G Gabe Carimi

It hasn’t quite worked out for Carimi in terms of improving a still struggling offensive line. It will be interesting to see if he can fit better at guard after he struggled at tackle.

(Nam Y. Huh/AP)

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11. Seattle Seahawks (13)

Second-year spotlight: CB Richard Sherman

Sherman has gotten as much attention for his bold talk as his strong play. The Seahawks can only hope he wins the appeal of his suspension so he can stay on the field as the games get bigger.

(Elaine Thompson/AP)

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10. Pittsburgh Steelers (11)

Second-year spotlight: CB Cortez Allen

Allen will be needed a lot more in coverage with veteran starter Ike Taylor on the shelf with a leg injury.

(Ron Schwane/AP)

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9. Indianapolis Colts (10)

Second-year spotlight: LT Anthony Castonzo

Castonzo and the Colts’ line have done a nice job of keeping Luck upright and injury-free. Expect him to be watching Luck’s blind side for a long tim

(Rick Osentoski/AP)

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8. New York Giants (7)

Second-year spotlight: FB Henry Hynoski

The Giants don’t have too many impact players from last year’s rookie class, but their sturdy lead blocker has been vital in getting the running game going again.

(Julio Cortez/AP)

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7. Green Bay Packers (9)

Second-year spotlight: WR Randall Cobb

Greg Jennings just came back from injury while Jordy Nelson remains hamstrung. Cobb hasn’t wasted his opportunity to become a premier target for Aaron Rodgers and probably will be a full-time starter in 2013.

(Bill Kostroun/AP)

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6. Baltimore Ravens (3)

Second-year spotlight: WR Torrey Smith

The Ravens haven’t been able to stretch the field as consistently as they would like in recent weeks, and they must find a way to re-ignite the deep connection between Joe Flacco and the speedy Smith.

(Nick Wass/AP)

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5. Denver Broncos (6)

Second-year spotlight: LB Von Miller

Miller turned his first career interception into a touchdown against Tampa Bay. Lifting the Broncos’ defense to elite status, he’s surged ahead of Watt and Smith in the defensive player of the year race.

(Jack Dempsey/AP)

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4. San Francisco 49ers (2)

Second-year spotlight: LB Aldon Smith

Smith is on his way to the best first two years as a pass rusher ever—at least since the sack became an official stat. With 17.5 sacks this year, he has a shot to break Michael Strahan’s record of 22.5.

(Tom Gannam/AP)

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3. Atlanta Falcons (5)

Second-year spotlight: WR Julio Jones

Jones hasn’t provided as much as dazzle as expected, partly because of injuries. But he’ll be an important target for Matt Ryan in the final month and into the playoffs.

(David Goldman/AP)

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2. New England Patriots (4)

Second-year spotlight: RB Stevan Ridley

Ridley has given the Patriots a reliable power rushing attack to support Tom Brady. The balance he’s provided has made the offense more efficient and more explosive off play-action.

(John Bazemore/AP)

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1. Houston Texans (1)

Second-year spotlight: DE J.J. Watt

Watt’s star hasn’t dimmed one bit since his hot first half. With defensive injuries around him, he’s become even more valuable than he was earlier in the season.